Impfnachweis

Impfnachweis is a certificate that proves a person has been vaccinated against one or more diseases. It can be issued as a physical document (the traditional Impfpass or vaccination card) or as a digital record that can be stored on a mobile device or accessed online. The purpose of an Impfnachweis is to enable verification of vaccination status for travel, entry to events, access to services, or medical care, depending on local rules and requirements.

Contents and formats vary by system, but a typical Impfnachweis includes the holder’s name and date of birth, the vaccines received, vaccination dates, vaccine manufacturers, and the issuing authority. A digital certificate is usually accompanied by a machine-readable code (such as a QR code) that allows authorities to verify authenticity without exposing unnecessary medical information. In the European Union, the Digital COVID Certificate (often referred to as an EU Impfnachweis) provides a standardized, cross-border form of proof for COVID-19 vaccination, tests, and recovery, with country-specific rules for validity and booster status.

Use and limitations: An Impfnachweis confirms vaccination status but does not reflect current health or infection risk. Acceptance and validity depend on the jurisdiction and the specific vaccine or booster regime. The certificates rely on cryptographic signatures to prevent forgery, and privacy considerations emphasize presenting only the necessary data to verifiers.

History and scope: Longstanding vaccination records were traditionally kept in paper form as Impfpass. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digitalization and the adoption of standardized digital Impfnachweise across many countries, particularly within the EU, while continuing use of paper certificates for other vaccines.